On retiring, I thought I had provided for my wife and myself adequately for the years ahead. But like thousands of others, I lost a third of my income following the 2008 depression.

My attempts to have consideration given to moderately increase the CPP have fallen on deaf ears. A great many seniors in this country are approaching the poverty level without hope of the governments of Canada or B.C. offering any financial help.

Where does Energy Minister Bill Bennett think that seniors can go to help offset this ridiculous cash grab, which, in my view, will only serve to further the already monstrous salaries of B.C. Hydro employees?

The money that the provincial government has taken from Hydro already over the years is obscene.

As a taxpayer, I am totally offended by Bennett’s disgusting proposition and rhetoric.

Gregor Miller, Kelowna

Liberal mismanagement

Never has the public’s money been so poorly managed than it is now by the B.C. Liberals.

Runaway salaries in all government agencies in the millions and the ill-considered smart-meter project and run-of-river contracts have put taxpayers billions of dollars in debt.

The Liberals sign bad contracts, make bad deals, pillage billions from Crown corporations to boost their sagging bottom line and we are left to pay for the mess.

We have to speak out more often before we become another Greece or Detroit.

John Houghton, Cloverdale

One ripoff after another

I think I am getting tired of being lied to by politicians.

Prior to this year’s election, the B.C. Liberals told us that B. C. Hydro was in good shape and that small increases may be coming. These clowns knew what problems Hydro had but why tell the truth before an election? They would rather tell us lies, knowing full well that the fools who elect them would forget, as they do on most issues.

I hope all the Liberal lovers are happy with B.C. Hydro, B. C. Ferries, child poverty and the twist we are seeing on pipelines. Oh, and wait until the LNG starts draining more of your tax dollars.

Brian Ringrose, Surrey

Pedestrians must use more care

It is true that drivers are largely responsible for killing pedestrians so they have to change their attitudes. But pedestrians should also reconsider their way of thinking.

I let cars and trucks go first and don’t do it necessarily out of courtesy. Simple laws of physics apply here — it is easier for pedestrians than vehicles to stop.

And freak accidents happen. Drivers can hit accelerators instead of brakes by mistake.

Besides, I hate being rushed to cross in front of the traffic, whether it’s a street or a parking lot.

Politicians, police and road engineers spend a great deal of time and money studying high-incident areas like the Island Highway, Sea to Sky Highway and the Pattulo Bridge. Unfortunately, police cannot be everywhere, all the time, to enforce speed limits. But we have the technology to fix this.

A 24/7 unmanned photo-radar system in the known critical areas, with big flashing warning sign “Photo Radar In Effect” would certainly get a driver’s attention.

Rob Doggett, Delta

Tell Greenies where to go

Brilliant editorialon the carbon tax. The carbon tax is a crippling and unnecessary tax. Time for Premier Christy Clark to stick it to the greenies and environmental extremists and abolish the whole carbon trust nonsense.

She lied about being forced to work here and wrongfully had her employer up on charges. This is not the type of immigrant we want to let stay here in Canada.

Shawn Storey, Surrey

Make dads pay

I’ve been following the reports on child poverty in B.C. and I am left with one question: Where are the fathers and the associated child support? Are these mysterious fathers dead, out of the country, hiding from court orders, whereabouts unknown, on welfare themselves or simply fathers unknown?

If the moms can’t afford to track down deadbeats, then my tax dollars would be more than properly utilized to assist. Food banks are an interim solution, at best, in order to assist those in need. Let’s refocus and identify the real culprits and hold them accountable.

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